Born in Dowagiac, actress Sandra Dee is connected to two films receiving awards at the 47th Annual WorldFest in Houston, Texas, on April 12.

Born to Jonas and Lou Ann Crump, Dee and her family lived in Kalamazoo in her early high school years before moving to Benton Harbor, where she graduated from Benton Harbor High School.

Acting, singing, modeling and dancing started for Sandra Dee at an early age, as she performed in grade school, high school and church plays. She moved to Los Angeles in 1984, where she went to film school and began landing small roles in films and commercials. Dee is a current resident of Roseville, Calif., a suburb of Sacramento, and has been a busy actress filming for television and films.

She has six movies coming out in 2014. Two of her leading roles can be found in the award winning films “Jesus, The Desire of Ages” and “Never Alone.”

Dee serves as the marketing director and co-lead in the film “Jesus, The Desire of Ages.: The screenplay was written by Nancy Hamilton Myers and co-produced with Desiree Deana.

Sandra Dee also holds the position as marketing director, associate producer and lead actress in the film “Never Alone.” The film is currently in postproduction and is expected to be completed by May 2014.

Remi Award winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Saturday, April 12. The awards ceremony will take place in Houston at the Crown Plaza Hotel.